reporting that fail tower increase the debt limit in time could cost the country's credit rating. s&p stripped the u.s. of its triple-a rating after the disaster over the debt in 2011. members of congress are asking for spending cuts to go along with the increase in the borrowing authority. but the president insists they are two separate issues. what is happening in washington, d.c.? >> reporter: house speaker john boehner says the american do not support raising the debt ceiling without cutting spending at the same time. boehner calls the debt an anchor on our economy. here's the leading senate republican, making his point. >> it's sort of like you have a kid who exceeds the credit card limit. you tear up the credit card, but you look at the spending. the republicans are willing to pay for past bills. these are about future bills. the president is missing the point that we are on an unsustainable path. >> reporter: portman acknowledges the need to raise the debt ceiling, but he supports the context of getting a handle on the spenning. >> shepard: this is disaster relief for victi